I would like to build a gaming PC for my friends son. I know that $1500.00 is not much these days for a gaming PC. But if anyone can make some recommendations, I would really appreciate it.
I have no preference for brand.

That's a fine budget for a gaming computer. i5 3570k $200, z77 motherboard of your choice $150, 2x4gb 1600mhz ram $40, case of you choice for say $80, quality 650w power supply (xfx, corsair, seasonic, or antec) for $70, 1tb hard drive $80, a 120gb ssd for $120, optical drive $20, windows $100, gtx 670 for $300. That plus tax and shipping will be under budget. That should leave you enough room to spare for a decent monitor $120-150 and keyboard and mouse. If it goes too expensive you could get a slightly cheaper case, and/or drop to a gtx 660ti. If the computer will not be overclocked you can save another $20 by dropping down to an i5 3470 $180. If it will be overclocked grab a budget cooler like a hyper 212 $20-30.

Originally Posted by draemnI would like to see either a slight modification or some 'descriptions' added to help guide people posting with this format.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
-This question should not only be what you're using, but the performance you want in these tasks. i.e. you want everything to load fast, or apply filters/encoding real fast or you just need it to work, even if it takes a bit longer. Do you want to multi-task and run lots of things at once? What will you usually run at the same time?

2. What YOURbudget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
-Does this include taxes, shipping, extended warranty coverage, etc. What isn't included in your budget and you have a separate budget for?

3. What countryYOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOURcurrent parts, and if so, what those parts are.
-This includes re-using peripherals such as a monitor, keyboard+mouse, speakers, your copy of an OS (i.e. windows retail version).

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
-If you have, what conclusions have you drawn so far. If you haven't, why not (maybe just intimidating)?

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
-If you plan to over-clock, what are your expectations and current experience level? What do you want your experience level to be after you finish your over-clock?

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
-Have you bought any parts yet, when are you starting to buy parts and when do you want to physically be putting it together?

9. What resolutionand settings do you use?
-If this is for gaming, tell us what resolution and the settings you wish to have in games (max everything, high, medium, or low). Do you turn AA on and do you care about gaming technology with PhysX, CUDA, eyfinity, 3D, etc?

10. Are there any specific technologies you want?
-Is there something you don't want to go without? USB 3.0 support, wifi n, SSD (solid state drives), blu-ray support, SATA3 6.0Gb/s, Super quiet case (low noise system), all-in-one memory card reader, specific front panel support? Those are just a few examples. If you aren't sure, but know you want to have 'the latest and greatest support' then just say so.

I find that I'm constantly asking for more when people use this 'pre-built' Q&A and they aren't putting much thought into each category and understanding why we ask. If someone would be willing to make some update, I would much appreciate this as it would really help everyone.

That's a fine budget for a gaming computer. i5 3570k $200, z77 motherboard of your choice $150, 2x4gb 1600mhz ram $40, case of you choice for say $80, quality 650w power supply (xfx, corsair, seasonic, or antec) for $70, 1tb hard drive $80, a 120gb ssd for $120, optical drive $20, windows $100, gtx 670 for $300. That plus tax and shipping will be under budget. That should leave you enough room to spare for a decent monitor $120-150 and keyboard and mouse. If it goes too expensive you could get a slightly cheaper case, and/or drop to a gtx 660ti. If the computer will not be overclocked you can save another $20 by dropping down to an i5 3470 $180. If it will be overclocked grab a budget cooler like a hyper 212 $20-30.

If you choose the right parts, $1500 buys a high-end gaming system, at least from a performance perspective for a single monitor setup. Just don't spend on premiums that won't net additional gaming performance (x79 platform, 6 core i7, 64GB ram, etc.) There's lots of good advice to go around at HWC.

__________________For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.